Definition
A conlang (short for constructed language) is a language deliberately created rather than one that evolved naturally. In fiction, conlangs range from a handful of consistent-sounding words sprinkled through dialogue to fully functional languages with complete grammar, syntax, and dictionaries. You don't need to build an entire language to use conlang techniques; even establishing consistent sound patterns and naming rules can make your world feel linguistically real.
Why It Matters
Language is one of the most powerful signals of culture. Even a light conlang (consistent phonetics, a few key terms, naming patterns) makes your world feel lived-in. It tells readers that these people have a history, a way of thinking, and a relationship to the world that's encoded in how they speak. Done poorly, though, invented words just become speed bumps for the reader.
Types of Conlang
Famous Examples
Tolkien was a professional philologist who built multiple Elvish languages before writing the stories. The languages came first; the world grew around them.
Peterson expanded George R.R. Martin's handful of Dothraki words into a full working language with over 4,000 words.
Belter Creole is a naturalistic conlang that blends elements of many Earth languages, reflecting the multicultural origins of Belt colonists.
Common Mistakes
Base your phonology on real language patterns. If you can't say it out loud comfortably, your readers can't either. Test every word by speaking it.
Differentiate cultures through distinct sound palettes. One culture might favor open vowels and soft consonants; another might prefer clipped syllables and gutturals.
Match your effort to your needs. Most novels only require consistent phonology and a few dozen terms. Save the full grammar for after you've finished the draft.
Try It Yourself
Create a naming language in 15 minutes. Pick 5 consonants and 3 vowels that will define one of your cultures. Write rules for syllable structure (for instance, consonant-vowel-consonant). Then generate 10 names: 3 people, 3 places, 2 foods, and 2 cultural concepts. Read them aloud and check that they feel like they belong to the same language.
Keep your invented language consistent
Store your conlang's rules, vocabulary, and naming patterns in Novelium's story bible so every term stays consistent across your manuscript.